Gidá – spring

Everything comes back to life. In mid-May, the cows give birth to their calves. The year begins. The brown bear has left its winter lair, and a new-born calf is an easy prey. In the forest land and on the south slopes of the mountains, patches of bare ground spread and grow. Water gushes in the brooks and fills the marshes. Waders and whooper swans give concerts in the light nights of spring. In the mountains, it is easiest to travel at night on the snow crust. The crust disappears before lunch and no longer carries a weight. The time is right if you want to experience the birdlife of Laponia, but forget about travelling long stretches. This is a transitional time between travel on snow and travel across dry ground.

Gidágiesse – spring summer

Streams and river are brimming over with meltwater. The spring flood makes many of them impossible to wade across, so it is best to settle for staying near the mountains and the low fells.

Soon the wetlands will be teeming with life. Every spring, a wealth of crustaceans, frog spawn and worms attracts waders from far away to nest here. The bird chorus dies down by midsummer. Mosquitoes and gnats hatch and begin to pester man and beast. On the open wetlands in the forests, forest reindeer gather to keep cool, and then the calves can be marked. As in the past, angelica is picked among the delicate greenery in the mountain birch forest, and common sorrel on the meadows.

Giesse – summer

Powerful forces are in motion. The sun has turned towards our part of the world. Year after year, all creatures return to the same spot. The Arctic Tern has returned from the waters around Antarctica, and the reindeer from the forests to the east. All the plants and animals remember their place in the vast summer land where there is no darkness. In a few intensive months the animals and plants grow strong. People live well. At the end of June, the reindeer herders begin work to round up the reindeer for calf-marking. The marking is done in the cool of the night. Now we live as though the long, harsh winter with his icy winds and bitter cold did not exist.

Tjaktjagiesse – autumn-summer

When the first star begins to shine in the night sky, summer is over. The geese and other migratory birds collect and set off southwards. Silence falls over the trees and mountains. In the forests, on the marshes and on the moors, the berries are ready for picking. In good years, the reindeer can eat their fill of mushrooms. The necks of the bull reindeers grow thick and they rub away the velvet from their antlers. A harvest time of sorts begins. Plants, berries and herbs are to be gathered and buckets of fish for winter need to be caught. In the autumn darkness, the lynx stalks closer to the resting reindeer.

Tjaktja – autumn

Autumn storms and night frosts make the ground cold. Forest and mountain creatures prepare for the approaching winter. At the beginning of September the reindeer herds are rounded up and everyone helps with the slaughter, before the bull reindeer are on heat. Moose hunting is a time we long for. The migratory birds gradually form large flocks that confer on when to begin the journey to warmer climates. The ptarmigan get their first white feathers. When the first star lights up late one evening, we reluctantly accept that summer is over.

Tjaktjadálvve – autumn-winter

The first thin snow covering comes. The forest has turned black. The bear goes into hibernation and the mountain Sámi communities gather their reindeer to separate them into winter groups. The reindeer are moved to the winter foraging land and reindeer are slaughtered for winter food. The animals leave tracks in the snow, revealing themselves. There is something secretive and slightly melancholy about this time. It is an unpredictable time in the mountains. Storms gather. For a few hours in the middle of the day, the landscape is coloured orange by the weak sun.

Dálvve – winter

A winter’s night is never completely dark. On clear nights the moon casts sharp shadows on the snow. On a cold night, stars grow in the sky. The Milky Way is called Lodderáidaras, “birds’ ladder”. The migratory birds use it to find their way south. Late in the evening, three stars climb over the horizon. They are the three skiers, hunting wild reindeer or the big moose. About an hour later, the old man comes skiing in their tracks. Each day grows a ptarmigan step brighter. Those who travel in the mountains and forests have just a few hours. When the sun returns it brings little warmth, but it cheers up frozen souls.

Each day is one ptarmigan step brighter than the one before. Those who travel in the mountains and forests have just a few hours. When the sun returns it brings little warmth, but it cheers up frozen souls.

Gidádálvve – spring-winter

Now at last the sun is starting to spread warmth. The migratory birds return. In the mountain Sámi communities, preparations start for the westward migration to the summer land. There may be a blazing sun or a stiff wind and snowfall. In the forest the snow is still deep and heavy. The mating calls of the owls can be heard in the old-growth forest and the woodpeckers are hard at work. Almost overnight the days begin to dazzle and the nights grow short. Skiers come to Laponia, but we must always be prepared for weather that can brutally change all plans.

Spring

Spring summer

Summer

Autumn-summer

Autumn

Autumn-winter

Winter

Spring-winter

Your browser does not support the audio element. Your browser does not support the audio element. Your browser does not support the audio element. Your browser does not support the audio element. Your browser does not support the audio element. Your browser does not support the audio element. Your browser does not support the audio element. Your browser does not support the audio element.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you drive a car to naturum Visitor Centre?

Yes. Naturum’s car park is along Vägen Västerut (The Road West or Road 827), 92 km from where you turned west off Road E45. From the car park it is a walk of about 300 metres to naturum Visitor Centre. If you have difficulties walking you can drive a car all the way.

How far is it to naturum Visitor Centre from the road?

About 300 metres.

Is naturum Visitor Centre accessible with a wheelchair?

Yes, there is no problem to visit naturum Visitor Centre in a wheelchair. It is possible to drive all the way to the building with a car, mobile home or with a wheelchair accessible car. The surface of the road and the parking space is packed gravel. The building is completely accessible for people with disabilities. You have access to the building on the outside by the wooden deck. Inside we have an accessible toilet.

In the outside environment, you can reach further out on the headland in the summertime on our wooden footbridge. Where you also can use our camp-fire site.

Can I get a guided tour at the Visitor Centre?

We offer a free introduction to the exhibition at 15.00 everyday we are open. You may also pre-book a hour-long guided tour for 500 SEK. Our guides are always available to answer your questions. Contact us at naturum@laponia.nu for more information and booking.

Does the bus stop at naturum Visitor Centre?

No, it stops at Stora Sjöfallet Mountain Center, but that is just 600 m from the naturum Visitor Centre car park.

Does it cost anything to go into naturum Visitor Centre?

No. It’s free.

How far is it to the hotel in Stora Sjöfallet?

From Naturum Visitor Centre car park, it is about 600 metres.

Is there overnight accommodation?

Yes, there is accommodation at Stora Sjöfallet mountain station, the STF mountain station in Sáltoluokta and the STF cabin at Vákkudavárre. There is also accommodation in Rijtjem/Ritsem and at Björkudden.

Boat

The boat to Sáltoluokta leaves from naturum Visitor Centre twice a week during the high season.

Is there a place where you can make a camp fire and barbecue?

Yes, we have a site close to naturum Visitor Centre. We also sell wood you can use.

Can you buy a fishing permit at naturum Visitor Centre?

Yes, we sell fishing permits.

In what languages can you get a guided tour in?

Swedish and English. We also offer guiding in Sámi if you book in advance, so that we can see to it that our Sámi speaking personnel are on hand.

Can you bring a dog?

Yes. Naturum Visitor Centre is located in the area of Stora Sjöfallet/Stuor Muorkke National Park where it is permitted to bring a dog on a leash. You may have your dog out of doors but you may not bring it into the building or a goahte.

Can I pay by credit card?

Yes. That’s fine.

Can you eat at naturum Visitor Centre?

We have a café offering among other things sandwiches, pie, waffles and home-baked buns.

Do you have gluten-free snacks?

Yes we do. We have gluten-free bread and other gluten-free products.

Do you have dairy-free snacks?

Yes we do. We both have lactose and milk-free ice cream and milk drink.

Are there toilets?

Yes. They are inside naturum Visitor Centre.

Opening times

Naturum Visitor Centre is open March-September. See under 'Opening times and program' or get in touch for updated opening times.